NASCAR hands out penalties

NASCAR fined crew chief Bob Temple and deducted points from car owner Jim Smith for an unapproved intake manifold on his Chevrolet on Feb. 11 during the initial Nextel Cup inspection for the season-opening Daytona 500.

Gordon, driver and part owner of the new team, failed to make the starting lineup for the Daytona 500 and has no points. Smith earned 31 based on qualifying results.

In all, NASCAR penalized 10 Cup teams.

The Wood Brothers Racing team was assessed with four because of an unapproved spoiler adjustment found on the Ford driven by Ricky Rudd. He was penalized 25 points, Glen Wood lost owner points, crew chief Michael McSwain was fined $25,000 and crew member Marc Smith was suspended from NASCAR competition until March 31.

Troubles Continue For Robby Gordon

NASCAR to investigate Gordon, Parrott dispute

MEXICO CITY -- NASCAR officials said they would look into an alleged confrontation between Robby Gordon and Brad Parrott, crew chief for Carl Edwards, before Sunday's Telcel Motorola 200 at Autodromo Hermanos Rodriguez.

According to witnesses, Parrott approached Gordon before driver introductions and said something to Gordon. As Gordon turned away, Parrott allegedly thrust his knee into Gordon's groin.

Gordon then grabbed Parrott by the neck, but before Gordon could throw a punch, onlookers stepped in. Eventually, the melee was separated, with no apparent injuries.

NASCAR vice president Jim Hunter said the sanctioning body would investigate the incident.

"We'll take a look at it after the race," Hunter said. "Right now, it's hearsay."

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!" -- Steve Parker

Top Two Finishers May Face Penalties UPDATE Expect Rulings Today: Speed Channel is reporting that #48-Jimmie Johnson, the winner at Las Vegas, was found in post race inspection to be too low and the 2nd place finisher #5-Kyle Busch's Chevy quarter panels were too high. NASCAR decisions will come Monday or Tuesday. The win will probably stand.(3-13-2005)
UPDATE: NASCAR probably won't take away #48-Jimmie Johnson's victory in Sunday's UAW-DaimlerChrysler 400, despite his car's failing an inspection after the race for being too low at the roof. First, it might be difficult to give the win to teammate #5-Kyle Busch, who finished second, because Busch's car also failed post-race inspection, for being too high at the rear quarterpanels. But it's not nice to try to fool John Darby, NASCAR's competitions director, and his justice may be harsh for both Johnson and Busch. But, a win is a win, no matter the asterisks - and no matter the razzing from rivals. The low roof that led to Johnson's violation would likely provide both an edge in speed on the straightaways as well as better handling in the corners because more air would reach the crucial rear spoiler. The high rear quarterpanels that led to Busch's violation would likely provide an edge in handling in the corners, because the rear spoiler would be higher. What NASCAR will likely do is take away enough points, probably 25, to knock Johnson out of the Nextel Cup points lead. That would put Kurt Busch, who finished third, back atop the standings.(Winston Salem Journal)Wanna stop the cheating....take the freakin' win away, make a statement, that starting next week, post-RACE infractions cost 25 points, if it is the winner, they drop to 4th or 5th, and the win goes to the 2nd place car, or the next legal car.(3-15-2005)

kyle was on Inside Nextel Cup last night and said the penalty was over a 1/8 to 3/16 inch difference. He said that they broke a left front shock and it dropped the front so they jacked the right rear up to compensate for it and thats why they went high.

Now I admit that yes, teams will try and fracture a rule, but sometimes stuff breaks and makes the car sit different and Nascar doesn't care, they just it doesn't meet rules and bang! you are penaltized.

Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!" -- Steve Parker